Dhokeshwar Temple

Takali Dhokeshwar, Taluka Parner, District Ahilyanagar

In terms of caves, Maharashtra is considered a rich state in our nation. There are a total of एक हजार caves across the country, and more than आठशे of them are solely in Maharashtra. Among these, the Ajanta, Verul (Ellora), and Elephanta caves have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While the highest number of caves in the state are in Pune district, Ahilyanagar district also has some unique caves. Among them, the Takali Dhokeshwar caves in Parner taluka are famous as a ‘cave temple’. Here, one can witness a confluence of a temple dedicated to Mahadev and ancient caves.

Takali Dhokeshwar is a village in Parner taluka on the Kalyan-Nagar road. These caves are located in the hills outside this village. According to historians, they might have been carved between the fifth and sixth centuries. According to a legend, the Pandavas carved these caves during their period of exile and found a self-manifested Shivling of Mahadev here. Since then, this place has been known as Shri Kshetra Dhokeshwar. Devotees believe that this is a awakened place and Dhokeshwar fulfills wishes.

A special feature of the hill where the Dhokeshwar cave temple is located is that the hill itself is shaped like a Shivling. This temple is known as a beautiful example of architecture. To reach the temple, there is a staircase path from the base of the hill. Beside this path, just before the main entrance, there are two samadhi temples and a Sharabha sculpture. (Sharabha is a type of fierce creature. It is believed that Mahadev took the avatar of Sharabha to pacify Narasimha after the slaying of Hiranyakashipu.)

As one finishes the staircase path and enters the temple courtyard through the fortified entrance, it feels as if one is entering a fort. There is a Deepmal (lamp pillar) in the temple courtyard. In front of the hall of the Dhokeshwar temple, there are two square pillars and two half-pillars. On the wall there are sculptures of Gajalakshmi and two doorkeepers holding flowers in their hands.

The temple is structured with a sabhamandap (assembly hall) and a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the center of the sabhamandap, a stone Nandi is seated, and on one wall, sculptures of the Saptamatrikas (seven divine mothers) are carved with their vehicles, seated under trees. The Saptamatrikas are the shaktis (powers) of various deities. From the weapons in their hands and the vehicles at their feet, one can understand which deity’s shakti they represent. They are identified as Aindri (Indra’s shakti) on an elephant, Varahi (Vishnu’s shakti) with a boar’s face, and Parvati (Shiva’s shakti) on Nandi. On one side of these Saptamatrikas are idols of Ganapati, and on the other side are idols of Virabhadra. Next to the Saptamatrika panel is a nude image of Kala (time). Additionally, on the walls here are idols of Bhairav, Nagadevata (serpent deities), Ayudhapurusha (personified weapons), and Trishulapurusha (personified trident).

The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is unique. A circumambulation path is carved around the sanctum. There is a cave within this path, which also contains many sculptures. On the circumambulation path, there are Viragals (hero stones) carved in memory of warriors, a Shivling, and a large Nandi. On the platform in the garbhagriha is a Shivling. The Department of Archaeology has declared Dhokeshwar Temple a National Protected Monument. 

The water flowing down from the upper part of the hill is naturally collected in a stone tank. This ancient method of water storage still proves useful today for quenching the thirst of devotees visiting this place. A path has been carved out of the stone to allow water from the hill to flow into the tank below. Above this tank, there is another water tank called ‘Sita Nhani’. Steps have been carved into the stones to reach this spot. From here, one can see a panoramic view of Takali Dhokeshwar and the surrounding area.

During the month of Shravan, this area appears picturesque. On the third Monday of this very month, a grand fair of Dhokeshwar is held. At this time, thousands of devotees come for darshan from early morning. The fair begins with an abhishek (ritual bathing) of the Shivling at dawn. In the afternoon, a procession of the chhabina (palanquin) is taken out. Afterwards, wrestling competitions are held. Hundreds of wrestlers from various parts of the state come for these competitions. Khichadi mahaprasad is offered to the devotees who come for the fair.

Useful Information:

• Takali Dhokeshwar is five kilometers from Takali Dhokeshwar village and एकवीस kilometers from Parner.
• ST bus service is available from Parner to Takali Dhokeshwar.
• Private vehicles can go up to the staircase path.
• No accommodation or breakfast facilities are available in the vicinity.